I walk in. There are lights, clothing racks, make-up bags, hair dryers. A song so ingrained in my veins is playing on the speakers. MY Song. It feels like a dream. But it is in fact, reality.

The scenes from my very first music video. To say it was a dream come true would be an understatement. It’s like it already existed and I walked right up to it.

But let me rewind.

3 days before these “scenes from a music video” I had a gnawing feeling. I had just gotten out of a session with my mix engineer Chris, and the bass player I hired to play live bass on the track “Weekend”, Johnny.

I had played them the song, “Fighter" to get some feedback as I was heading over to my other mix engineer’s (Bob)studio to finish the final mixing after I was done there. Busy day. I told them it was scheduled to be the song for my first music video.

and then Johnny said what was already in my gut, and what punched me even harder because of it. "Wait, you’re making a video for that song and not this one (the one he just played bass on)? But it’s the summer jam!"

The truth hit me like a ton of bricks. Because like I said, I had been thinking the same thing but had buried that thought deep underneath.

I already had the team in place and the concept for the video for Fighter. I can’t change it 3 days before the shoot. My director will kill me.

I called my sister.

"What do I do? The timing for Weekend is now! Fighter is a fall/winter song.”

I knew this from the very start. Originally I had planned to do the video for Fighter in January/February. But as most things go, it took a lot longer to get everything in order and so we had set a date to shoot on March 22nd.

I knew that I wanted to release "Weekend" over the summer but in my head "Fighter" was released a few months prior. And I just continued on with the plan of shooting it first.

But that Thursday, after I had heard both songs, and really thought about it, my insides were saying “It’s Weekend. It’s gotta be.”

So I called my director. “um, I have to say this because if I don’t, it’ll gnaw my insides out”. And I told her. And she said “ we can make it work. I’m glad you told me today and not the day of the shoot. Just decide by 10am tomorrow when you come to the hair test”.

So, the next morning, I played them both songs, and it was unanimous. Weekend is the winner.

I tell you this story because I know we all have moments like this. Where we feel something in our gut, and our intuition is telling us something that is not the easiest thing to hear. And so we ignore it. But when we listen to that instinct, magic can happen.

To be quite frank, I feel really proud of myself for listening to my gut. It was not easy to do. And In the past I might not have done it. But, I did it this time BECAUSE I’ve learned from all those past times when I didn’t speak my mind. When I ignored that gnawing feeling and the outcome wasn't the best.

And the truth is that if the director had said, "you know we already have everything in place for Fighter, the concept, the people, we should just move ahead with it," it would have been fine too. It’s a great song.

But I had to say what was on my mind. To give voice to my instinct.

So now, back to the day of the shoot, after I felt like a crazy person for changing the song just 2 days before, and how right it actually all felt. And how much fun everyone was having. How we made the concept totally work for this song.

Everyone loved the song. It was amazing to hear people singing the lyrics to my song, to see them dancing around to it. Even just hearing it on the speakers (on repeat for 9 hours!) was so surreal.

Susan is a 69 year old woman who had on her bucket list to be in a music video. And so we helped her cross that off. That was amazing to me! she was so thrilled to be there and was having so much fun.

Our next day of shooting is April 11th. I'm so very excited to see how it all turns out. But in the meantime I am enjoying every minute of the process. Or at least trying my very best:)

I so look forward to you seeing and hearing the final product.

I hope I've inspired you to listen to that voice inside even if it's saying something you don't want to hear. I'll say it leads you to the exact right place you need to be every time.

Dana Carmel

Dana Carmel is a music maven. She believes music is the universal language that everyone speaks and yet not everyone understands. Through her passion of both writing and listening to music, she is committed to share her passion with you, a fellow artist, dreamer, musician.

My video series #songsiwishiwrote is where you can watch me geek out to my fave tunes and talk about why I wish I wrote them. If you have a song you want me to feature, write me and let me know.

the first episode of #songsiwishiwrote is only available here!

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“All around us snow is falling down
The sun shines, you are mine.
And everything in our way is gone. It took so long, but now we’re right where we belong “
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I wrote this song inspired by both a feeling I had and a romance in a tv show I was watching. There was a scene where the couple was in a shower and snow started coming down. I was moved to tears and wrote this song.
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It’s actually my dad’s favorite song. I recorded it in the studio at his request and it is now one of my favorites on the album.
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my producer said “ that’s a really good song. Your dad has great taste.”
::
When I was in Italy I played it for friends and when I turned around at the end, they were crying. The power of music is incredible. It was a full circle moment. I wrote it in tears and moved my friends to tears when they heard it too. ::
I can’t wait for you to hear it in it’s entirety.

ladies, who among you doesn’t love a nice romantic gesture? When was the last time you got swept off your feet? ::
Gents, when was the last time you did something romantic for your love? Something original, something creative, something that shows your beloved how much you care?
::
I know for me, the smallest gesture can capture my heart. The thought very often is THE THING that counts. ::
Consider this my plea for more romance, more thoughtfulness, more small gestures that can make the biggest difference in the people we care about’s day. ::
Not that it has to be only for or from a romantic partner. It can be for a friend who needs a pick me up, something that says “I’m thinking about you”.
::
And so I offer you the perfect gift solution: A serenade (romantic or not) for your friend, lover, mother, father, sister, brother. A way to make the people you love smile brighter. ::
Think “Romeo and Juliet”, in modern times. I won’t be underneath the balcony but I’ll sing through live video at the designated time. It’s been so much fun, and the smiles that shine through the screen are the reason I believe so deeply in bringing back the romance. ::
Learn more over at www.danacarmel.com/serenade

I just sent out another email to my beautiful list of subscribers.
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Talking about the small steps we can take now to make big change.
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If you’re not yet on it, get your butt over there and subscribe now. You’ll get a free video of my series #songsiwishiwrote.
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There is so much goodness happening with new music and new offerings and you won’t want to miss it!
::
Go to Danacarmel.com to sign up!💕
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